Google showed off the trusted device unlock support back at Google I/O, but the feature didn't make it into the last dev preview. Well, it's there now and it works as advertised. Just pair your favorite wearable or Bluetooth gizmo, and the secure lock screen goes away. Lose connection, and it's back.

In Lollipop, when you add a new Bluetooth device, a notification will ask you if you'd like to make it a "trusted device." That means if your watch, car, or whatever device is connected, you can access the device simply by swiping away the lock screen. Your PIN or pattern remains in effect, so the entire process is smooth. The same is true for NFC, but you'll need to add these tags through the smart lock menu. Select NFC, tap the tag, and now your phone will skip the secure lock screen when it's in range.

A few phones already have this feature—for example, the Moto X. However, Lollipop doesn't saddle you with a persistent trusted device notification like that device does. It's all taken care of for you with a subtle padlock icon on the lock screen to tell you what's up.

ah, thats why you want wifi. Even a cheap Fitbit zip would work with this. You just need some kind of wearable BT device that can be close enough to authenticate yourself. I agree with google with no including WiFi. It would be nice, don't get me wrong, but as someone who has to worry about IT I wouldn't want my agents to be able to bypass the requirement of needing to have security measures in place. If you give a person a way to not use secure methods they will take it each time if it saves them a step.

I think that is exactly the point of the SALT card, and exactly why I backed it. I expect to get a wearable at some point in the future, but until then, the SALT card system should be good (especially as Google hasn't included WiFi unlocking 😡).

Cory S

While it is nice to have this built in, you know there are a on of apps that do the same thing and include WiFi unlocking too? I use pebble locker, despite its name it works with anything. I have my home wifi, car BT, and moto 360 setup on it.

I am aware there are such apps, but when I got interested in having my phone automatically unlock when attached to certain networks, they all cost money and I decided it wasn't worth it at that time. Then, it was I/O and I got the impression WiFi unlocking would be in Lollipop so I figured I'd wait.

To be honest, it's the fact it's a cheap bluetooth device with nice implementation that sold me. Right now I don't have any bluetooth device and I wouldn't want it unlocked on WiFi considering the student accommodation I'm in at the moment.
Well, that was a lot of wasted explanation where it wasn't needed! I must have a report due... :P

Randy Sherwood

At this point, it does not appear that you can use Bluetooth Low Energy devices for smart lock, unfortunately. The settings don't detect any such devices. I tried with my Fitbit One, and others are having similar issues. Pretty ridiculous oversight, if you ask me... why wouldn't you want to use a friggin' low energy device for this?

Possibly because it's pretty easy to change a SSID or mac address on a router.

marcel

That seems like an insane amount of work to gather access to a phone, don't you think? Not only do you need to know where your victim lives, but also you need to be smart enough to spoof the WIFI.

Oh, and the real owner of the phone could just remote lock his device...

Luxferro

I didn't say it was likely to happen. Just probably why they didn't add it. Since a router has a much higher range than bluetooth devices, and is easier to imitate.

tehboogieman

Or they could just go by the house and unlock the phone without any spoofing.

Hopefully this feature is a little smarter than that though. On CM11, it unlocks via SSID, which is easily spoofed, but will still require entering the device password at least once before staying unlocked.

Cerberus_tm

At least once: when, exactly? (Not that it matters to me, as I think the SSID is safe enough.)

tehboogieman

The way it works on CM11 is that when you connect to the network with a specified SSID that will disable the password, the first time you wake your device it will still require the password. After that it will not.

It should also be configured so that when you disconnect from that network it should re-enable the password.

I think this is a good way to implement this feature since any network with the same SSID will trigger it.

Cerberus_tm

OK that sounds cool. But I'd also like an option where you don't have to enter the code even once, for convenience. I don't even have a code, just a slide lock against pocket activation.

Huh

Where is this unlock feature on CM11?
Are you maybe talking about the Skiplock app?

tehboogieman

It's in profiles. I don't currently have CM running on any of my devices so I can't look up the exact steps or terms. You can activate a profile using WiFi, Bluetooth or NFC. Just set that profile to disable the password.

mantra2

True, but can you imagine the wave of negative press if it happened? ;)

I'm assuming the device will only unlock once it has connected to the trusted network.

larkster

That isn't how skiplock works. When the phone connects to a trusted Wi-Fi connection, you are still presented with the lock screen. Only after manually unlocking it once does the app keep the phone unlocked.

Dario · 753 a.C. .

you gotta be crazy to do a thing like that? what kind of thieves that steal your phone on the bus etc would do a thing like that?

you gotta have some importan and secret file in your phones, but really really importants

Nathan Blume

And someone could steal my truck along with my phone so that my phone unlocks itself when it connects to the truck Bluetooth. Just because something is possible does not mean it is likely. If you absolutely cannot risk the possibility of someone gaining access to your phone, then don't allow any trusted devices. But most people would be perfectly willing to assume a tiny amount of risk for the convenience of trusted WiFi to unlock their phone.

Cerberus_tm

Exactly. This is the Apple mentality: for some users, feature x might not be good, or it might confuse them. So what shall we do, give people the option, so every user can decide for himself? NO! We simply block everyone from using it MUWAHAHA.

If they really think it is so dangerous or confusing, they should put a switch in the settings that you have to enable first, like the current "install APKs from unknown sources", which is an excellent way to do it. And/or display a large warning message explaining the danger whenever a user enables it.

h_f_m

If you were in range of the house and had the phone with you, the phone should just connect to the wifi automatically and let you unlock it, you could then just turn off all the security settings. Why would you need to go through all the trouble to spoof the network?

Only reason would be the person actually turns off their WiFi before leaving the house, but then that almost defeats the convenience of not having to unlock the phone when you get home (well.. unlock it ONCE to turn WiFi back on maybe)..

didibus

If you go and park in front of the house, you could also just connect to the trusted bluetooth and change the lock settings no?

Anyways, all these "trusted" are conveniences aren't they? Like the Trusted Face Unlock isn't very secure either.

Irshad

I think this could be easily tackle, using

SSID+Mac Address+Password(Passphrase) combination in development.

Even if you can spoof SSID & Mac Address, you should also know the password :-)

Mo

I wish they include wifi as well
Guess i have to stick with my tasker profile for that... :sadface:

maysider

that's the Google's way: everything done just in 50%
google never does anything properly
ps: I'm an Android user only

exactly, e.g.the Android version lacks filter capabilities so almost useless for searching, have to use chrome browser for searching, even better to use windows sometimes for a proper searching
great shame for Google
still we cannot release windows because of very poor Android product managers unable to implement basic, simple capabilities

Jose Romero

Wifi range could be pretty big these days. My cheap router could be used from all the way across the block. Maybe they could tell how far away you are from the router?

Cerberus_tm

Well, they could at least offer you the option. My router has a rather short range, only maybe 10 metres away from my front door, which is acceptable to me.

Jeff Howard

I want this with wifi as well. Give us the option and a warning screen saying it's less secure.

Dave Hamilton

Actually the methods some people have provided / suggested
May or may not work, But i am one of them people who prob would do something along these lines for testing purposes.
I dont know about you, But am one of these freaks that need to know how everything works, and i like the trial and error method.
The logic applied about using SSID etc is not too much trouble, and in all honesty would not take too much effort to setup. But am sure the SSID would be tied to a Password - And this aint going to come easy :))
Alot of Ifs and Buts,
All i wanted to add, is there are people out there that would try something like this and its not Over and Beyond.
Cup of coffee, laptop and a hour and am sure you will be good to go.

Did you also discover that face recognition now works in the background as a smart lock feature? It is really nice.

Kurama91

Android 5.0 drives me more and more to buy a Google Nexus phone. but I am sad that Nexus 6 is too huge and too pricy that won't fit my needs, and Nexus 5 does not have cutting edge features :(,

Galaxy366

What features do you think will be missing from the Nexus 5? With a 800 SoC it's still fast enough.

Kurama91

I meant hardware features, Camera :(

sup

Well the camera is definitely capable, it's the software that holds it back. Hopefully that's rectified in Lollipop.

Kurama91

not a Good Camera. speed is important but not everything.

Alex

Nexus 5 is still a very powerful device, you know.

Simon Belmont

What cutting edge features does the Nexus 5 lack? It can do everything the Nexus 6 can, except the ambient display (unless they allow that to work).

The camera on the Nexus 6 is probably the same one as on the second generation Moto X, which isn't THAT great either. I've been really pleased with the shots I've gotten from Nexus 5, and the updates Camera API promises to improve that.

Kurama91

I am a huge camera user, I have S5 which has stunning Camera, I am afraid to lose the power of capturing great feature when buying Nexus 5. other than that I've always been fan of Nexus.

Simon Belmont

The camera on the Nexus 5 is MUCH better than previous iterations of Nexus cameras (especially the Nexus 4, IMO). It's had several improvements in both baked in OS updates (notably Android 4.4.2) and the Camera app itself.

I've been happy nearly all of the shots I've taken with it. I have two small children, and it gets really good pictures even when they're moving around a lot (they always are). With Lollipop, I imagine it will only get better and continue to improve. The Nexus 5 definitely has good camera hardware, and the software is finally beginning to catch up, to really make it shine.

Kurama91

many many thanks for explanation, I may really consider buying Nexus 5. I've never used a Google phone before. and I will be glad to have nexus 5 as my first google device. I like Everything about Nexus 5 , speed, features. and now as you mentioned and experienced , the camera seems to be good. and the most important thing is the price which is really great for me. a price that I can afford. thanks again :)

Simon Belmont

You're quite welcome. Yes, it's still an extremely competent and well performing device with great specs, especially for the price.

I think you'll be quite pleased with it. Also, the quick updates from Google.

Kurama91

yes yes the Update! that's the best thing about it. I am sure that Nexus 5 will get the Nexus Major android M,too , considering that Nexus 4 is getting 5.0. I am totally okay 350$ and willing for the White one 32GB Variant :). thank you so much again :)

Simon Belmont

I expect the Nexus 5 will see official updates for quite some time because it has quite potent hardware. Even my 2012 Nexus 7 is getting Lollipop and that will make five versions of Android that it has had over the course of its life. ;)

I have the white 32GB one. I love it. :)

Smash41

The only thing I want to know about the lock screen is whether you have to press enter once you've entered your pin. It's very annoying on Kitkat lol.

Kaleb Peters

I think that that's because unlike iOS, where the limit on a pin is 4 digits, you can have as many numbers (as far as I know) as you like. Although it'd be nice for it to automatically accept or decline when the correct number of digits in your passcode was entered.

I recently used towelroot to root my Nexus 7. The easiest and quickest way to root a device I have ever seen. If you are interested in rooting give it a shot. There are always new ideas that can make it worth rooting.

Literally, download the apk, install and run, install superuser and busybox, maybe reboot once. I think it took less than 5 minutes altogether.

Kaleb Peters

Okay cheers man, sounds like a good program to use if I ever end up rooting a device.

Ah. okay. I never used it on pre-lollipop. Just enabled it on my Nexus 5 with latest Lollipop preview to test smart lock.) Now i am not sure about that either, i will have to check. Good to know though.

Lyrrad

Actually, both Android and iOS accept long pins. On iOS, though, if it's more than 4 digits, you need to press enter to attempt to unlock the device.

Kaleb Peters

Is that not just a password lock with digits? If not then thanks, I didn't know that! :)

Do those NFC Tags need to bee empty to work as an unlock? In the current android version, there is a really annoying popup everytime you connect a blank NFC Tag. :(

Chahk Noir

Scratch one more Xposed module I need. With the pace they're adding nice features, soon I won't even need root.

Carlos

I want this but with WIFI (so I don't need xposed module)

tehboogieman

Do you have root? There are many apps that do this without Xposed. I use Tasker + Secure Settings on my stock devices, and it's built in to CyanogenMod11

Carlos

I'm happy with xposed, but if it was implemented on Lollipop it would be better. Thanks :)

Rick Fisher

does the bluetooth device need to be close or just connected? I feel like smart watches would be ideal, but if they just need to be connected, I could be almost 100ft away from my phone and still not have a secure lock screen. Better than nothing for if I leave it behind somewhere, but not very secure if I'm still at the bar or restaurant.

toa95

5.0 is going to make sure my next phone is a Motorola phone. Whether it be the Nexus 6 or the Droid Turbo.

I'm pumped for the thing. I need to hold a Nexus 6 before I decide for sure but anything is better then my Note 2 at this point. I am getting sick of having to deal with the unstableness of custom ROMS just to get stock android on my phone.

I my next device (note4) will just be stock with superSU. I'm going to see how the root over OTA works. If it can stay rooted after an OTA I might just stick with that. With my S5 I didn't use Custom ROMs at all, but I did use rooted stock roms.

toa95

Ya, stock is always better to go then custom ROMs, I have had so many issues with things like mms, sms, and gps, not working. I decided TouchWiz just isn't for me and my next phone will be as close to stock android as possible without custom roms.

MMS + SMS issues can be fixed with just using hangouts. As for touchwiz when is the last time you used it? I find it to not be nearly as bad as people say. Especially if you use a 3rd party launcher. the only times you even see touchwiz is the quick settings and the general settings section (which you can replace with an AOSP looking app just like the launcher)

toa95

I know that TouchWiz isn't bad, heck some people might prefer it over stock android but in my opinion it's just to bloated. I know there are ways to fix it but I do like some of the advantages that come with roms like themes and other customization features. I will have to take a good hard look at all the phones out when I do upgrade at the end of this year. The Note 4, Z3v, Moto X, Droid Turbo, HTC One, and the Nexus 6 are all in the running for my next phone. The great thing about android today is there really isn't a "bad" phone now a days, every manufacturer has very good devices with great features.

Honestly that's the most refreshingly level-headed thing I've heard anyone say on the subject lately. There is no single device for everyone but if you look hard enough there is a particular device for anyone. And yeah I agree all those phones are excellent devices

Bruce

You missed the LG G3. It's the phone I have now and it's awesome. And of course the OnePlus One if you can find it.

toa95

I knew I was forgetting a few. Thanks.

Erik Tomlinson

How does this interact with Bluetooth LE devices? I want to use my Fitbit for this, but not if it's gonna annihilate the Fitbit's poor little battery!

Bogdan Neaga

Do you still have to press the "ok" button after you entered the correct pin or it auto unlocks like ios ?

problem with that is for things that are secure (IE VPN settings) you still have to enter a PIN to get in. I'm assuming this would consider your wearable your authenticator thus removing that barrier.

Welfi_1988

Well I have it set up like this: If my pebble is not connected to the phone, the lockscreen is activated (in my case with a pattern) and I have a code-lock on apps with sensible data.
When the pebble is connected via bluetooth, the lockscreen and the applock get lifted.
I don't know if the lollipop version is used as authentication for vpn or login data?

Vince

if you really want wifi, try "pebble locker" app. I use it with my pebble as well but also uses wifi and works great without pebble also

Trenton Seagoe

Tasker can do the same. I have it so that if I am connected to my home Wifi or my Pebble, the lock is turned off.

Chris Sanner

do BLE devices work with this? i.e. my fitbit?

Chris Sanner

now that this is out...the answer is most definitely "no".
ah well.
I'll end up with a smartwatch at some point in any case I guess. still very cool for connections to my stereo

Fernando Páramo

I want to use this feature, but I do not have a bluetooth device with me all the time (for example, a smart-watch).

Is there a small bluetooth device that can fit on my wallet or key-chain? I don't care if it doesn't have any actual functionality; I just want to use Smart Lock.

This is one of the first new features I started using, and I love it. As soon as I got in my car, my phone connected to my car bluetooth and prompted me to add it as a trusted device, and now, boom, no lock screen when I'm driving.

I like that it's implied that 3rd party apps can be added as trusted service providers in the future, because I could imagine someone making a tasker recipe that disables the lockscreen when you're in the geofence around your home, say.

I'd like this if it also got rid of the swipe to unlock as well. Turn on the screen and bam, instantly shows your homescreen. Best use case scenario is for when I'm in the car. Less time focused on my phone, the better.

PhineasJW

Please tell me this also works with WiFi networks...?

Kostas

It doesn't. Use tasker :)

sachouba

Well, Samsung introduced this feature 1 year ago with their Galaxy Gear. The better Android gets, the more it steals features from Touchwiz. That proves Touchwiz isn't that bad after all.

Feature-wise, Touchwiz has always been ahead. Just a shame that its always been unoptimized, jagged and ugly.

Matt McNair

I'm excited about this feature because, while I try not to fiddle with my device while driving, sometimes you have to and having to type my pin while driving sucks. I like to keep my device secured but in a safe environment its just in the way.

dude

The funny thing is the Moto X 2014 doesn't work with Moto Skip, so I'm looking forward to this reimplemented.

Arjen82

Does this feature still work if an Exchange server is forcing you to use a pincode or password? A lot/all of apps that can skip the lock screen won't work anymore...

duse

Does this feature work with encryption enabled or with an Exchange account added? None of these security conveniences help much if they immediately get disabled with encryption or Exchange like in the past.

This works also on new Sony devices. Tried on a z3 compact but it should work also on z3 and e3

Kawshik Ahmed

Can anyone tell me does Android 5 Lollipop have Multi-Window or not ????

Dennis Ulijn

No.

GazaIan

This would be perfect for an NFC ring. That way, your phone literally could only unlock when you're holding it. I like the trusted device feature but didn't want to use my G Watch as a trusted device, because I could be just a couple of feet from someone and they unlock my phone. I want my phone to only unlock in my hand, and it looks like an NFC ring can do that.

Peter ‘Firefox’ Fox

Depends on the handset though, I'm hoping the NFC ring works out with the Nexus 6 because I'd find it painful to make it work every time with my Nexus 4 which a feature like this needs

Chris Monteiro

Meh, I don't really see this as too useful for smartwatches. Most of the time I have my lock screen to prevent people near me from taking my phone and using it, and having a smart watch paired as a trusted device would still disable the lock screen.

Peter ‘Firefox’ Fox

So happy for this feature, will easily be using it for either my NFC ring or just my G Watch, though I assume it's just if the watch is connected which might be a bit too far for me as usually mine stays connected no matter where my phone is in the house.

Is there an ability to use multiple Smart Unlock features in combination for a sort-of two-factor auth? Example: Trusted bluetooth device + face comes to mind. Simple, easy, yet massively more secure and a great, fluid UX.

Konstigt2

Can Lollipop also have delay for password on the lockscreen? I want the lockscreen to be activated with slide immediately but I want a 5 min delay on the password. Except when connected to configured BT and Wifi devices.

That would make the phone insecure for 5 minutes, which means that it can be easily unlocked if stolen. Nearby devices and certain locations are way more secure IMO.

Konstigt2

Just as much as having a 5 minute timeout which is possible and "always" has been.

(which agreed is insecure compared to immediate lock)

Leonardo Baez

This trusted device must be a smart watch? Or could be a BT speaker?

robotkoer

"That means if your watch, car, or whatever device is connected, you can access the device simply by swiping away the lock screen."

Tony Brooks

I tried getting it working with a spare Xperia NFC tag I had. No dice. Had anyone got NFC unlock working? Do you need a specific unlock tag such as the Skip?

Bruce

I could never get Tasker working reliably with my LG G3's knock code. I tried all kinds of things enabling and then disabling, adding waits. Nothing worked reliably. It would work for a few minutes and then suddenly it was back to having to unlock it. I finally stopped using Tasker and used the "No Lock Home" Xposed module with my LG G Watch. That works 100% of the time. The only problem is that now I have no control over it. What I'd like is the ability to customize this so that it locks up ever hour or so, so I have to unlock it. Sure there's a timing window issue, but it's a compromise.

My real problem with the whole trusted bluetooth with a smart watch thing is that if I were to get mugged, chances are I'd likely end up losing both my watch and the phone and the phone would have no protection.

I think Apple nailed it with Touch Id. Now if I was important enough, someone may be tempted to chop off my thumb which would be a whole lot worse than losing my smartwatch, but since I'm a nobody, I doubt that pickpockets would be motivated enough and that's enough of a deterrent that I would not lose my smartphone. I had the iPhone 5s for 3 weeks between the G2 and the G3 and I found it a very frustrating device. But Touch Id was awesome. It worked perfectly every single time and it was fast. Very early on, as soon as I realized that, I changed the password on the App Store to a long complicated one. Get the best of both worlds. Make it difficult for anyone who steals a phone to crack it and yet make it drop dead easy for you to use it. In iOS7, it was limited to the App Store. They have apparently opened it in the SDK for iOS8. I can easily see myself setting individual and long passwords for my work email, gmail, dropbox, keepass, alarm.com app etc to be unlocked using my thumb print. I haven't used the Galaxy S5, but I have read that it's extremely tetchy which pretty much makes it useless. It has to work as quickly and as reliably as Touch Id, or it serves no purpose.

Konstigt2

Check out Delayed Lock. You can specify that you need to enter your pin (or whatever) once, even with a trusted device. And once every X minutes also IIRC.

shamanNS

3 words: location based unlock.
FFS Google... Will still need to use Tasker.

Just Curious.

So with the NFC tag you tap it to your phone and it unlocks the phone, or you have to hold the NFC tag to your phone ? the latter would be annoying I hope it just does a proper unlock.

Simon Belmont

This is awesome. I love the seamless implementation and can't wait to start using this.

I only hope they allow for geolocation to also be an option for when it'll be set to unlocked. That would enable one to set their house, for example, as an unlocked zone.

Shai Pal

Since I carry my Watch everywhere with me, this is great for me.

On my car tablet, I use pebble lock.

hkhamm

Is there a list of devices that support this feature? I've installed the developer preview and discovered that it will not work with either my Macbook Air or my iMac. I don't have a Jawbone Up or a Fitbit, but I know those use their respective app to manage the bluetooth connection and only connect periodically, so they probably won't work either. Every image I've seen, including this article, have an Android Wear device paired with Android, so obviously they work. It looks like this feature depends on you being able to pair the device directly with Android rather than an app, so any device that does that already should work. Again, it would be great to get a list.

Ideally, I could purchase a wristband, keychain fob, or a card I could put in my wallet. For me, bluetooth would the best option because of the greater range, but the main issue with bluetooth is that is requires a lot more power than NFC.

Not Anonymous

And I was wondering why you installed the developer edition on your Mac. xD

Irshad

Do we have any app, that will work with adb (trusted ofcourse).

While developing, I usually connect my device to laptop via USB. and have to type in password everytime phone get locked.